A Gritty Road Adventure from the Golden Age of Point-and-Click

Released in 1995 by LucasArts and directed by the legendary Tim Schafer, Full Throttle is a cinematic point-and-click adventure that delivers a hard-edged narrative packed with humor, attitude, and unforgettable characters. Set in a dystopian future where biker gangs roam dusty highways and corporations rule the roads, Full Throttle was a departure from LucasArts’ more whimsical fare—opting instead for a gritty, rebellious tone wrapped in classic adventure gameplay.

Story and Setting

The game follows Ben, the gruff leader of the Polecats motorcycle gang, who becomes entangled in a conspiracy involving the last domestic motorcycle manufacturer in the country. Framed for murder and left for dead, Ben must uncover the truth, clear his name, and stop a corporate coup—all while riding fast and fighting harder.

Full Throttle’s narrative is tightly written, cinematic, and mature, touching on themes of freedom, loyalty, and identity. The world it creates—a fusion of biker culture and tech-noir dystopia—feels lived-in, raw, and unmistakably cool.

Memorable Characters and Voice Acting

A standout aspect of Full Throttle is its excellent voice cast. Ben is voiced by Roy Conrad, whose gravelly delivery became instantly iconic. The villain, Ripburger, is performed by none other than Mark Hamill, who brings a sinister and smug charm to the character.

From Maureen—the savvy mechanic with a mysterious past—to Ben’s loyal, rough-edged gang, every character is distinct, well-written, and feels essential to the journey. This was a game that oozed personality from every pixel.

Gameplay and Interface

While rooted in traditional point-and-click mechanics, Full Throttle innovated with context-sensitive mouse controls, a cleaner interface, and action sequences that included motorcycle combat and quick-time events. These moments helped break up puzzle-solving and kept the pacing sharp.

Puzzles were generally logical and closely tied to the narrative, which helped maintain immersion. Exploration was nonlinear at times, offering a sense of freedom that complemented the game’s themes.

Art, Animation, and Sound

The game featured stunning 2D animation and a bold visual style that captured the dusty highways, neon-lit bars, and metallic industrial settings of its world. Cinematic camera angles and smooth animations gave it the feel of a playable movie.

Adding to the atmosphere was an excellent hard rock soundtrack by The Gone Jackals. Their music elevated the game's biker aesthetic, and tracks like "Legacy" and "Born Bad" helped set the mood for Ben’s high-octane journey.

Legacy and Remaster

Though relatively short in playtime, Full Throttle left a lasting impression. Its narrative strength, sharp writing, and genre-defying tone made it one of the most beloved adventure games of the 1990s. In 2017, a remastered edition was released, featuring updated visuals, re-recorded music, and enhanced voice quality—allowing a new generation to experience Ben’s story with modern fidelity.

Full Throttle isn’t just a game—it’s a cult classic that proved adventure titles could be cool, bold, and emotionally resonant without sacrificing fun or flair.

Price: £11

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